Act Daily News
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Andy Murray’s fairytale run on the Australian Open got here to an finish on Saturday after he was crushed by Roberto Bautista Agut.
The three-time grand slam winner has thrilled crowds in Melbourne this yr by rolling again the years to win two marathon matches however Bautista Agut proved a step too far.
The Spaniard received in 4 units – 6-1 6-7 (7-9) 6-3 6-4 – and seemed relieved to have lastly discovered a well beyond his opponent when he received match level.
Murray had spent greater than 10.5 hours on courtroom heading into the third spherical match and he struggled to maneuver at factors.
The 35-year-old had wanted 5 units to beat Matteo Berrettini within the first spherical of the event after which rallied from two units all the way down to beat Thanasi Kokkinakis in an epic contest which lasted 5 hours and 45 minutes and completed at 4.05am. The second spherical match, which completed on Friday morning, was the longest of Murray’s profession.
It was no shock, then, that Murray seemed exhausted as he struggled to get grips with the primary set which was over earlier than it actually started.
But, as he has accomplished all through his profession, Murray dug deep and rallied from a break down within the second set to win an astonishing tie break.
It was one more instance of the grit and dedication Murray brings to the game of tennis however, on this event, it simply wasn’t sufficient.
The grueling second set appeared to take its toll on Murray as Bautista Agut had the sting for the remainder of the match.
Murray by no means went away although, and continued to punish his opponent till the very finish and produced an array of gorgeous photographs.
After shedding match level, Murray acquired a standing ovation from the gang as he limped off the courtroom.
The pair had beforehand met on the Margaret Court Arena in 2019 in what was supposedly Murray’s final sport on the grand slam.
But the veteran determined to proceed his profession and, after receiving a number of therapies for accidents, Murray has proved he nonetheless has extra to offer 4 years later.
“2 days ago I randomly bumped into the doctor who in 2017 told me ‘the good news is the problem you have in your hip can be fixed but you won’t be able to play professional sport again.’ I think we dispelled that myth the last 5 days,” Murray tweeted after the match on Saturday.
Bautista Agut will now play American Tommy Paul within the final 16.
“Always playing Andy is very tough,” Bautista Agut stated throughout his on-court interview.
“He knows very well how to play a grand slam match. I am happy with how I handled the nerves and tension through the match, to play good tennis. I am very happy with the win.”